Newport Island

The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting public comments regarding a proposed bicycle and pedestrian bridge planned to span the Newport Island channel near the Newport Boulevard bridge. The bridge would be prefabricated and would be designed to be removable, according to Coast Guard Capt. Terry Lucas, head of the 11th Coast Guard District.

Through the sickly sweet fog of designer fragrances, past gleaming cosmetics counters, the giant, furry critter pads across the polished tile. The prim sales clerks don't even bat an eye. They might even reach behind cases of creams and powders to pull out a treat. Welcome to Orange County's unofficial dog mall, otherwise known as Fashion Island -- an upscale collection of shops and restaurants in the even more upscale enclave of Newport Beach.

Newport Beach has unfortunately been given a bad rap, so to speak. With all the "new money," high technology, increased development and, most recently, the "not in my back yard" philosophy, it is no wonder that, to many, we are a very superficial community. I, however, disagree greatly. In light of our current disaster, that being the horrendous oil spill, I would venture to say that all of Newport Beach (not to mention our neighboring communities) has really rallied together to show that we do care.

J. Peterman Co., the quirky mail-order catalog whose founder became a cultural icon after being parodied on the "Seinfeld" television series, will open its first West Coast boutique at Fashion Island Newport Beach in May. The 5,000-square-foot store will sell clothes, accessories and home furnishings that appear in the company's three mail-order catalogs, plus a host of one-of-a-kind gifts not available in its catalogs.

The old, wooden street-light poles that for decades have towered over Newport Island are soon to be bygones under a plan to be considered by the City Council today. In a unique agreement in Newport Beach, the city will replace the old island lights with more modern and energy-efficient ones and also put the utility wires underground, and the residents will pay the initial bill. "It's an interesting arrangement," said Public Works Director Benjamin J. Nolan.

While still trailing far behind arch-rival South Coast Plaza in gross annual sales, Newport Beach's Fashion Island restated its 1986 retail sales Friday to show an 11% increase--the same growth rate posted by its Costa Mesa competitor. The new numbers boosted Fashion Island's 1986 gross sales to $215 million from a previously reported $207 million. The center reported $193 million in sales in 1985.

Through the sickly sweet fog of designer fragrances, past gleaming cosmetics counters, the giant, furry critter pads across the polished tile. The prim sales clerks don't even bat an eye. They might even reach behind cases of creams and powders to pull out a treat. Welcome to Orange County's unofficial dog mall, otherwise known as Fashion Island -- an upscale collection of shops and restaurants in the even more upscale enclave of Newport Beach.

J. Peterman Co., the quirky mail-order catalog whose founder became a cultural icon after being parodied on the "Seinfeld" television series, will open its first West Coast boutique at Fashion Island Newport Beach in May. The 5,000-square-foot store will sell clothes, accessories and home furnishings that appear in the company's three mail-order catalogs, plus a host of one-of-a-kind gifts not available in its catalogs.

A group of carolers will climb aboard gondolas tonight to sing holiday favorites for the community. Kathy Leek of Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters hopes residents will head down to the water to listen and view the festive event. Led by Greg Mohr, vice president of the Gondola Society of America, five boats will cruise Newport Harbor near Newport Island and perform carols from 5 to 7 p.m. They will start at the corner of West Coast Highway and Superior Avenue in Newport Beach.

The old, wooden street-light poles that for decades have towered over Newport Island are soon to be bygones under a plan to be considered by the City Council today. In a unique agreement in Newport Beach, the city will replace the old island lights with more modern and energy-efficient ones and also put the utility wires underground, and the residents will pay the initial bill. "It's an interesting arrangement," said Public Works Director Benjamin J. Nolan.

Newport Beach has unfortunately been given a bad rap, so to speak. With all the "new money," high technology, increased development and, most recently, the "not in my back yard" philosophy, it is no wonder that, to many, we are a very superficial community. I, however, disagree greatly. In light of our current disaster, that being the horrendous oil spill, I would venture to say that all of Newport Beach (not to mention our neighboring communities) has really rallied together to show that we do care.

While still trailing far behind arch-rival South Coast Plaza in gross annual sales, Newport Beach's Fashion Island restated its 1986 retail sales Friday to show an 11% increase--the same growth rate posted by its Costa Mesa competitor. The new numbers boosted Fashion Island's 1986 gross sales to $215 million from a previously reported $207 million. The center reported $193 million in sales in 1985.

The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting public comments regarding a proposed bicycle and pedestrian bridge planned to span the Newport Island channel near the Newport Boulevard bridge. The bridge would be prefabricated and would be designed to be removable, according to Coast Guard Capt. Terry Lucas, head of the 11th Coast Guard District.

Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer was elected mayor Monday night by a unanimous vote of her colleagues. Plummer, serving her third term on the council, will hold the post for one year. "Every mayor has left their stamp on the city," Plummer said. "I pledge to leave a positive stamp." As mayor, Plummer said she would like to see the council set goals for the city "that will lead us into the 21st Century."

A memorial service will be held Wednesday for James Edwards Sr., the Orange County theater magnate who died during the weekend after being pulled from the waters off his home on Newport Island. The service will begin 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 600 St. Andrews Road in Newport Beach. Edwards will be buried later in the day after a family ceremony at a Newport Beach cemetery, said Don Barton, Edwards' grandson and a vice president with Edwards Theatres Circuit Inc.